USDA is here to help farmers, ranchers, and foresters get the farm loan support they need to be successful. Whether you’re a new farmer just getting started or a seasoned rancher in business for decades, we have agriculture loan options to help you meet your goals.
August 7, 2024 - USDA has introduced major changes to the Farm Loan Programs, the most significant since 2007. These updates aim to enhance financial opportunities and accessibility for farmers and ranchers. Learn about how these changes to Farm Loan Programs will benefit you.
Use USDA's online farm loan tools to find loans that might be right for you, apply for a direct loan, or make a payment on a direct loan.
Underlined Header Find a Farm Loan Underlined Paragraph ContentWith the Loan Assistance Tool, you can check your eligibility for Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm loans, discover FSA loan products, and learn how to apply for a Direct Farm Loan online or get instructions for paper applications.
Use the Online Loan Application tool to apply for a Direct Farm Loan and track the progress of your farm loan application.
The Online Loan Application tool is available to producers who are or will be operating their farm as an individual. In the future, the tool will be available to married couples applying jointly and other legal entities.
Learn how to use the Online Loan Application tool:
Access the tool from your farmers.gov account or by completing the Loan Assistance Tool.
Underlined Header Make a Direct Farm Loan Payment Underlined Paragraph ContentUse the Pay My Loan tool to make an online payment on your Direct Farm Loans.
The Pay My Loan tool is only available for borrowers operating as individuals. Borrowers with jointly payable checks will need to continue to make loan payments through their local office.
Learn how to use the Pay My Loan tool:
To make a payment:
Farm Ownership Loans can be used to purchase or expand a farm or ranch. This loan can help with paying closing costs, constructing or improving buildings on the farm, or to help conserve and protect soil and water resources.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers up to $600,000 for eligible borrowers through Farm Ownership Loans.
Microloans are a type of Operating or Farm Ownership Loan offered by FSA. They’re designed to meet the needs of small and beginning farmers, or for non-traditional and specialty operations by easing some of the requirements and offering less paperwork.
Emergency loans offered by FSA help you if you suffered a qualifying loss caused by natural disasters that damaged your farm or ranch.
Guaranteed farm ownership loans offered by FSA help family farmers and ranchers to obtain loans from USDA approved commercial lenders at reasonable terms to buy
farmland or finance agricultural production.
Single family housing loans offered by Rural Development help with purchasing or building a new single family home, repairing an existing home, or refinancing a current mortgage.
Farm Operating Loans can be used to purchase livestock, seed and equipment. It can also cover farm operating costs and family living expenses while a farm gets up and running.
FSA offers up to $400,000 for eligible borrowers through Farm Operating Loans.
Operating loans can also be used for forest operation needs. View more USDA resources on our forest operations page.
Microloans are a type of Operating or Farm Ownership Loan offered by FSA. They’re designed to meet the needs of small and beginning farmers, or for non-traditional and specialty operations by easing some of the requirements and offering less paperwork.
Youth Loans are a type of Operating Loan offered by FSA for young farmers between 10-20 years old who need assistance with an educational agricultural project. Typically, these youth are participating in 4-H clubs, FFA , or a similar organization.
Guaranteed farm operating loans offered by FSA may be used to purchase livestock, farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance, and other operating expenses.
Storage loans, like the Farm Storage Facility Loan and the Sugar Storage Facility Loan, can be used to help producers build or upgrade farm storage and handling facilities.
FSA offers up to $500,000 for storage facilities and $100,000 for storage and handling trucks for eligible borrowers through Farm Storage Facility Loans. For Sugar Storage Facility Loans, the maximum principal amount of any loan is calculated as 85 percent of the net cost of the applicant’s needed storage.
Marketing Assistance Loans (MALs) offered by FSA provide producers interim financing at harvest time to meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are typically at harvest-time lows.
Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs) offered by FSA are payments made to producers who, although eligible to obtain a CCC loan, agree to forgo the loan in return for a payment on the eligible commodity.
Check your eligibility for FSA loans, discover the various FSA loan products, learn about documentation requirements, and follow easy-to-understand instructions when completing the loan application forms.
USDA loans to help farmers and ranchers start, expand, or maintain family agricultural operations can also be used to finance climate-smart agricultural practices or equipment.
To get help with loans for your specific situation, contact your local Service Center or use one of the farm loan tools above.
USDA does not offer grants for purchasing land and most grants that are available are for low dollar amounts or for very specific purposes. If you are looking for a grant, check with your local Service Center — they may be aware of state grant opportunities — or check out the following resources:
Once you have a better idea of the type of loan you need for your farm operation, use one of our PDF guides below to learn how to apply for farm loans and prepare for your visit to a Service Center. Your local USDA Service Center can help guide you throughout the loan application process.
Guides in English:
Guides in Spanish:
Are you new to farming or ranching? USDA can help you get started or grow your farming operation through a variety of programs and services. From farm loans to crop insurance, and conservation programs to disaster assistance, USDA is here to support you and your operation.
If you have a farm loan with USDA, you can view loan details and other financial information with a farmers.gov account.
You can also access your farmers.gov portal account to view:
Additionally, borrowers who operate their farms as individuals and have Direct Farm Loans with USDA can make online payments using the Pay My Loan feature